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NEWS & MEDIA

Southeastern to improve guest experience at commencement

HAMMOND – Guests at Southeastern Louisiana University’s winter commencement should
expect several changes designed to enhance the overall event experience. Updates include
an increased number of attendants to assist guests with directions and seating, the
addition of bag checks and alterations to the list of allowed items to enhance security,
and live streaming of the ceremony on the Southeastern Channel. Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Kay Maurin said, for security
purposes, all commencement attendees are asked to limit handbags, camera bags, and
tote bags to only those that are necessary. All articles brought into the facility
will be subject to search, she added, and this may increase the amount of time it
will take for some attendees to enter the University Center. The doors to the University
Center will open at 8 a.m. to allow extra time for bag checks. “The safety of our graduates, faculty, staff, and guests is our top priority.
Bag checking is an important security practice and is utilized by colleges and universities
across the country,” said Maurin. “Our team will offer expedited entrances for anyone
not carrying a bag and all others will be subject to quick searches. We encourage
guests to arrive early and with their groups in order to go through bag check and
enter the arena together as quickly as possible.” To ensure a safe and comfortable commencement, Maurin said, the following items
are strictly prohibited from being brought into the University Center: beverage containers,
aerosol and spray cans, animals (except for service animals for persons with a disability)
balloons and beach balls, alcoholic beverages, weapons, signs, banners, flags, laser
pointers, noisemakers (including but not limited to whistles, air horns, bull horns,
sirens, thunder sticks) strollers, drones, confetti, glitter, streamers, silly string,
fireworks, party poppers and sparklers. Guests are asked to refrain from saving seats out of consideration for other
guests. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis, so groups should
plan to arrive early to find seats together. “Commencement is a ceremonious occasion honoring our students’ impressive accomplishments.
Decorum and courtesy are important to our guests, the candidates and their families,”
said Maurin. “Guests and graduates are encouraged to remain for the duration of the
ceremony so that each graduate and their family can share their moment without interruptions.
Applause should be kept to a minimum so that each graduate’s name can be heard as
it is called.” As part of commencement decorum, Maurin added, guests should silence cell phones
and other electronic devices. Candidates should plan to meet their guests outside
the University Center, as guests are not allowed on the arena floor or stage. For those who are unable to attend commencement or simply wish to enjoy it from
the comfort of their own homes, the Southeastern Channel will live stream the event
for the first time. The live stream can be accessed by logging on to thesoutheasternchannel.com/programs/graduation/. “Many graduates have family and friends who are unable to travel to Hammond to
attend graduation. We are now live streaming the ceremony so those family members
and friends can see their loved ones cross the stage in cap and gown to the receive
their diplomas,” Maurin said. For more information about commencement, visit southeastern.edu/commencement.

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